A man has been charged with multiple counts, including attempted homicide and assault of a law enforcement officer, after a chase in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties where an officer was shot. The suspect, Bruce Alvarado, was apprehended after police boxed in the stolen vehicle. Sierra Rehm reported
In Greensburg, Pennsylvania, a man named Bruce Alvarado, aged 38 and from Clairton, has been charged with multiple offenses, including attempted homicide, assault of a law enforcement officer, and aggravated assault. This follows a chase that occurred on Friday night in Westmoreland and Allegheny counties, during which an officer was shot. Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli revealed in a press release that the incident began when a Pitcairn officer attempted to stop a stolen vehicle containing two individuals, with Alvarado identified as the driver.
The pursuit involved multiple law enforcement agencies and spanned across Routes 22, 66, and 356, with speeds reaching up to 90 miles per hour. The chase eventually came to an end near Hyde Park Road in Allegheny Township when several police cruisers surrounded the stolen vehicle, effectively trapping it.
Upon approaching the vehicle, officers instructed Alvarado to exit, but he failed to comply. When the police forcibly opened the driver’s door, they discovered Alvarado armed with a gun, accompanied by a female passenger. Alvarado proceeded to fire multiple shots at a Monroeville police cruiser before he could be removed from the vehicle. Unfortunately, two of these shots struck a Monroeville officer in the arm and leg. The injured officer was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, and Ziccarelli reassured the public that he is expected to recover.
During an interview with the police, the passenger informed them that Alvarado had made threats during the pursuit, stating that he would not stop and intended to harm a police officer. This information adds further context to the dangerous nature of the incident and Alvarado’s intentions.
It is crucial to note that this case is still under investigation, and multiple individuals are being questioned in relation to the incident. The authorities are determined to gather all the necessary evidence and ensure that justice is served..